Tim Cahill’s Top 7 Moments as a Socceroo

It is rumoured that Tim Cahill will be on FIFA 2020 video game as one of the Ultimate Team Icons, joining the likes of Drogba, Pirlo and Ian Wright.

This is undoubtedly exciting news for football fans throughout the country, more so Socceroos fans. To celebrate this achievement, here are seven moments that defined Cahill while representing the national team.

Cahill vs Japan in 2006

After scoring the country’s first World Cup goal in 2006, Cahill immediately etched his name in Australia’s football history books. The Socceroos were one goal down to Japan at the start of the second half of a group stage match.

In the 53rd minute, then Coach Guus Hiddink brought in Cahill from the bench. Japan fought to defend their goal for thirty minutes before the former Everton midfielder tapped in a goal in the 84th minute. Five minutes later, Cahill scored his second before John Aloisi scored the third goal to end Japan’s hopes of equalizing.

Although Italy would later knock out the Socceroos at the round of 16, Cahill’s brace against Japan will forever be inscribed in the minds of many Australian football fans.

Cahill’s Thunderbolt against the Netherlands in 2014

After Arjen Robben scored in the 20th minute to give the Dutch a lead, Cahill equalized for the Socceroos in the most beautiful of ways. Bresciano passed the ball to Leckie after Australia conceded. The right-winger then crossed a low shot to Cahill who thunder bolted a volley into the goal.

What a goal! One commentator said before the whole stadium went abuzz. Not only did Cahill shock everyone in attendance but his goal would later be voted among the best goals of the tournament. James Rodriguez’s chest cum volley against Uruguay ultimately won the award. Netherland also won the match 3-2, but the football world will always remember Cahill for that goal.

Fruitless Win vs Serbia

Despite scoring three goals to send the Socceroos to South Africa in 2010, Cahill recorded a relatively subpar performance at the tournament. He earned a red card in the World Cup’s Group D opener versus Germany, keeping him away in the next match.

But knowing Australia was about to be kicked out of the World Cup, Cahill produced an incredible performance against Serbia. He scored in the 69th minute to give the Socceroos a lead before Brett Holman netter in the 73rd minute to seal a win.

Unfortunately, the 2-1 win over Serbia wasn’t good enough to steer the Socceroos past the group stage.

Australia vs Japan in 2009

If you occasion casino sites that offer sports betting, you know they set competitive odds whenever the Socceroos meet Japan. But in 2009, most bookies were favouring Japan to edge out Australia when the two sides faced off in a World Cup qualifier. This was in spite of the Socceroos playing on home turf.

In the first half, the bookies were right. Japan dominated the Socceroos for the entire 45 minutes. But in the second, Cahill turned up in his true legendary style and scored a brace to upset Japan once again.

Japan certainly got its revenge when it beat the Socceroos 1-0 in 2011 to win the Asian Cup Final in Doha, Qatar. But as the two countries continue to stir a football rivalry, Cahill will be remembered for his role in initiating the competition.

Cahill Stuns China in 2015

By this time, the world knew Cahill as a fierce attacking midfielder who could crisscross past any defence opponents. If it wasn’t clear, the former Melbourne City player asserted his goal-scoring skills with a brace against China at the Asia Cup quarter-final.

Cahill’s two goals steered the Socceroos to the semi-final of the competition. Of course, Australia’s more significant moment came when it won the tournament against South Korea a few days later. But Cahill’s second stunner against China was celebrated a little longer, including being voted among the best goals of the competition.

The comeback against Syria in 2017

Cahill was approaching the end of his career in Melbourne when he got called to represent the country in a world cup qualifier against Syria. Cahill’s playing time at City was so little that some critics criticized the coach’s decision to include him in the Socceroos’ starting eleven.

But in his true resilience style, Cahill showed up when it mattered. After Syria netter a goal six minutes into the match, the midfielder equalised seven minutes later. The Socceroos sealed their defence and denied series a goal for the remaining regulation time.

Being a world cup qualifier, the match went into extra time. Cahill turned up once more, scoring a second header to grab the Socceroos a crucial win. In fact, the victory helped Australia land a spot in the 2018 World Cup. Of course, it was a disappointing tournament for football fans. But Cahill is partially to thank for leading the country to Russia.

Cahill Becomes all-time scorer in 2014

When Cahill began his football career over 20 years ago, he probably didn’t imagine becoming the Socceroos’ all-time leading scorer. But in 2014, the 39-year-old achieved this fete after netting a brace against Ecuador in a friendly held in London.

Cahill opened the score sheet in the eighth minute before Mile Jedinak scored a penalty in the 15th minute. The Socceroos continued their dominance, with Cahill netting his second goal of the night in the 32nd minute.

By half time, Australia was leading 3-0 and Cahill had just become the country’s all-time goal scorer. The flare of excitement was high in the changing room, and fans back home knew the Socceroos had all but sealed a win.

Sadly, things went south quickly in the second half. Ecuador scored their first goal in the 57th minute. The Socceroos were red-carded a minute later and went on to lose the match 3-4. Still, Cahill said the loss didn’t dim his moods after becoming the country’s all-time scorer.

In Conclusion

Although he’s now retired, Tim Cahill will go down as arguably the greatest Socceroo of all time. He did a lot to solidify his status. His goals versus Japan, Syria, the Dutch and becoming the leading scorer in Australia rank him amongst the best football players of all time.